Radical Stepmoms

Christina Welcomes Beven! Beven is a neurodivergent leader, educator, and parent of neurodivergent children, who joins us to chat about how we can help our neurodivergent stepkiddos navigate two separate homes with different rules and norms. We discuss the importance of communication, belonging, and predictability. While we can't always have consistency between homes - we can focus on what we can control. If you have neurospiciness in your home - this episode is for you! Listen in!About My Guest: Beven Byrnes is the Executive Director of Bridges Middle School, Oregon’s only middle school designed specifically for students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, and other learning differences. A neurodivergent leader, educator, and parent of neurodivergent children, Beven is passionate about creating environments where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Through her work, she advocates for inclusive education, belonging, mental health, and helping young people build the confidence and self-advocacy skills they need for lifelong success. So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Want to chat with Christina? Book a Call!⁠Needing community? Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina chats with Robin, who shares her experience of being the stepchild. Robin’s mother passed away when she was young and her father quickly remarried. Robin gives guidance to stepmoms navigating the loss of a bio-parent, and how her perception of stepmoms has changed over time. What should a stepmom do or not do? What’s the partner’s role in the dynamic? Listen in! About My Guest: Robin Breuner is an author, freelance journalist, and podcast host based in Marin County, California. A former bookseller and author host at Book Passage, she has engaged with some of today’s most influential literary voices. Her writing has been featured in regional publications, and her debut memoir is forthcoming. Robin brings both personal experience and a writer’s perspective to her work, creating thoughtful, nuanced conversations about family and identity. https://www.robinbreuner.com/https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/ So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina asked her audience to submit their BM horror stories, and OH MY! Listen in for some WTF moments and to feel a little less alone in your chaos. Sending love to you all! Interested in trying Sync Botanicals Tea? Check it out HERE and use code RADSTEPMOM to save $15 off your first month!

Christina welcomes Bre to share her stepmom story of high conflict chaos, an ex that won't finalize the divorce and a 2020 pregnancy. How do you find the love and joy when it feels like everything is working against you? Bre opens up about her transition into full custody, bringing home an ours baby and the grief of not having what she thought she signed up for. What makes you stay when you have every reason to walk away? Listen in! Main Topics: - When the Ex won't sign the divorce papers - Living in a small town with the Ex - Forced Phone calls and location tracking - Having an ours baby in 2020 and with high conflict - Closing the chapter of custody and court So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes Nicole who shares her step-parenting and co-parenting journey that’s included significant adversity, including the loss of a co-parent, shaping her perspective with honesty and resilience. How did she develop her relationships with her stepkids, assist her own kids with blending, manage grief and define her role? Also, how many counselors become stepmoms? Is it destiny? Listen in! About My GuestNicole is a 34-year-old wife, bio mom, and stepmom, balancing blended family life and a career as a high school counselor. She is raising children ages 2, 8, and 10, with stepchildren ages 17 and 19. Nicole met her husband during COVID in 2020; both were previously married and have now been married for nearly five years. Find her on IG: @ladynshafeSo much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes Shanae, a woman who fell in love, admittedly ignored all the red flags and decided the high conflict life was not for her. Shanae shares how she fell into the role of “fixer” and how she realized her partner was the one stealing her peace. Now that she’s a biomom on the other side, what would she tell her younger self? As a stepmom, we ask ourselves “is it worth it”? When did Shanae know it wasn’t and knew it was time to walk away? Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes stepmom Tarah and her husband EJ to discuss their transitions into blending. The three discuss why resentment builds in blended families and how to address it before it causes emotional distance. Where and why do many couples get stuck and what can they do to prepare and heal? Tarah and EJ offer their professional and personal experience in assisting couples out of the trenches - Listen in! About My GuestTarah Kerwin is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and co-founder of Relationship Renovation, a thriving therapy practice in Tucson, AZ, dedicated to transforming couples’ lives through authentic connection and empowerment. With a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, she leads the innovative Relationship Renovation @ Home Program, designed to support couples on a national and global level with essential tools to strengthen their relationships from anywhere. As the co-host of the popular Relationship Renovation Podcast, Tarah delves into the complexities of love, helping listeners navigate real-life challenges with empathy and insight.Find them on IGhttps://relationshiprenovation.com/So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes Cynthia and Mackenzie to discuss how becoming a stepmom can impact our relationships with our family and friends. As our lives evolve into parenthood, how do our own parents embrace our new identities? What happens if our friends don’t support us? Do your parents takes on the step-grandparent role? What do you do when you want to be seen in your role, but your closest loved ones don’t understand? Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!!Want to meet other stepmoms? ⁠Become a Member ⁠!Need that extra support? ⁠Schedule a session with Christina!⁠Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes back Michelle to talk about real and tactical tips for navigating the chaos of summer—when there’s no school or camp buffer, exchanges get messy, routines fall apart, and stepmoms often end up managing more than they expected. Michelle and Christiina talk about boundaries, managing expectations with partners, and keeping your sanity when everything feels unpredictable. What can you do now to protect your peace this summer? Listen in! About My Guest: Michelle Mitchell, JD — founder of High Conflict Resolutions, LLC. Connect at coparentingcoach.comFind her on IG: coachmichellesdSo much more than a podcast!!!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastSchedule with Christina: https://chatwithchristina.as.me/Become a Member: https://www.patreon.com/radicalstepmomspodcastwww.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina chats with Shayla about how dynamics are just different when your partner was never married to the mom. There was no wedding, no long history... what unique issues does this bring up? Shayla shares about the custody loss for 50/50, feeling protective of your partner and the frustration with “single” moms. Why do exes get more upset after you're married? How do you “love them like your own” but not too much? Shayla also discusses her unexplained fertility journey and shares a message to the stepmoms who can relate to her journey. Listen in! About My Guest: Hi! I’m Shayla, a 28 year old wife and step mom to an amazing 7 year old boy! Being a step mom is one of my favorite roles in life, even with all of the ups and downs that come with it. My husband and I have been trying to have an “ours” baby since we got married in 2023 and are currently waiting for our second frozen embryo transfer which will hopefully be happening in April or May. I love sharing my story on social media and connecting with other women with similar stories! It’s my goal that every woman has a place to feel safe and seen.Find her on IG: @shaydempSo much more than a podcast!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some extra support? ⁠⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member of the ⁠⁠Rad Community ⁠⁠and meet other stepmoms!⁠⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes Nicole to chat about the dynamics of being in a queer blended family and balancing boundaries with compassion. Nicole shares when her optimism for a peace was confronted with the reality of conflict and how she remains authentic even when the other co-parent is watching. How does her stepdaughter feel about having 4 moms? What is Nicole striving for now? Listen in! About My GuestHello, I'm Nicole! I'm a wife in a queer relationship and a stepmom of 4 years to a beautiful 6 year old girl. I work in the social work field with children and families. I enjoy reading, hiking, sand volleyball and a good margarita. I take pride in myself for bringing to this stepmom journey consistency, organization and great listening skills.Instagram: jean_shorts88So much more than a podcast!!!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some extra support? Schedule with Christina!Become a Member of the Rad Community and meet other stepmoms!www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes Kelly to discuss stepmom identity and finding your voice. We’ve all experienced situations that have made us feel small or ignored. Did your SK not include you in their family project? Does the ex completely ignore you? What do your stepkids call you and how does it make you feel? Kelly and Christina chat about it all and more! Listen in! About My Guest: Kelly Christ is a writer, teacher, blogger and radio host who has dedicated much of her life to reinventing herself--one trivial pursuit at a time. She writes and speaks about letting go--if only to learn how to do it herself. She married the man of her dreams (in a pandemic) and is a stepmom to two high schoolers.Find her on IG @kellyachristMentioned in this Episode: Essays on Stepmotherhood and Letting GoStoop Storytelling Stepmom StorySo much more than a podcast!!!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some 1:1 support? Schedule with ChristinaWant more community? Become a Rad Member!www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes back Courtney and introduces Courtney’s husband, Mark. Courtney and Mark have been through a lot together and share their experience in dealing with high conflict, endless court battles, false allegations and how they managed to preserve their marriage in the process. Courtney speaks about her newly published book, “Uncaged” and gives her words of support and wisdom to other women feeling the weight of expectations. Has your health ever been impacted by the stress of stepmotherhood? Do you ever feel consumed by drama and conflict? Listen in as Courtney shares about her journey through health and healing. About My Guest: Courtney is a fiercely loving momma, wife, and stepmom who lives on the East Coast with her family and furbaby, Dexter. She finds that her perfectly imperfect soul is most at peace when she is closest to a body of water. Drawing inspiration from life’s waves—both calm and stormy—she channels her passion for happily ever after into all facets of her life. Dr. Courtney is a seasoned divorce recovery specialist, mindset mentor, and co-parenting coach who also holds a DNP, a doctorate degree in Nursing. Her first life career, coupled with a traumatic family court journey, transitioned her into her second life career where she has dedicated her life to turning pain into purpose. When she’s not coaching, you can find her soaking up the coastal breeze looking for sea glass, writing in a quiet corner, or creating memories with her family. Check out Courtney's book, "Uncaged" Find her on IG - @drcourt_everafter Or her website So much more than a podcast!!! Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast Schedule with a 1:1 with Christina Become a Member and meet other radical stepmoms! www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com